That logic allowed me to finally relax. I laid down next to Delani and nestled my head into the crook of her arm. With my mind finally at rest, I found myself looking forward to watching the mosaic of stars as they put on the most magical show.
As if the heavens could sense my ease, a violent force of starlight painted a streak through the blank sky, blasting through the atmosphere at an incomprehensible speed. It created a straight bisect through the darkness, then vanished as soon as it had arrived. The meteor was one like I’d never seen before, and left me in complete awe.
I shot upright, looking side to side, wondering who else had noticed the star. But there was no indication that anyone saw the start of the meteor shower.
My neck burned as I strained it to watch the sky, my gazenot faltering as I waited for more stars to fall.
But none came.
I blinked a few times, just to make sure that thestarI saw wasn't really something caught in my eye. But I was certain it was real.
Itlookedreal.
I frowned. I’d seen enough shooting stars in my lifetime to know one when I saw one. Maybe I was just exhausted and hallucinating. Maybe I drank more than I realized—that was also a possibility.
“Happy Birthday to me. Here’s your present—being fucking delusional,” I mumbled under my breath.
Minutes passed without any implication that the meteor shower had actually begun. I had accepted the notion that Iwasin fact crazy, until someone a few yards from me gasped. My head darted in their direction, then up to the heavens where they pointed.
I saw the star as it passed, its emerald tail flowing steadily until the entirety of its existence was swallowed into the blackness. Shortly after, there was a ruby meteor. Then a yellow star, followed by a violet one.
Soon enough, the sky was clustered with vibrant jewel-toned stars, flashing sporadically as they tumbled through the atmosphere. Some stayed stationary while others flew in every direction, creating a prism of color that replaced the darkness of the night with a beautiful illustration from the gods.
I nudged Delani in an attempt to rouse her. She stirred, but did not wake. I tried once more per her request, but she had so much to drink that I doubted I'd be able to fulfill it.
The all too familiar feeling of unease returned with the true induction of the meteor shower. I focused on the immobile stars, allowing the idleness of them to grant me a sense of control amidst the hecticness of the sky.
I breathed deeply, watching the display of lights above me. My hands didn't ache yet, which was a good sign. If I were to be deemed worthy by the gods, my jewel would present itself on the back of my palm.
That logic, and the fact that my birthday was coming to a close, pushed my dread fully aside. I let out a belly laugh directed at myself. I shouldn't have been, but I was ashamed that I let fear ruin my birthday.
I laid back down with my sister and listened to the joy of the others around me as they gained use of their magic with each falling cosmo.
Gazing into the heavens, I began to count the colored stars. Before I could get to ten, I drifted off to sleep.
I wokeup to a horrific pounding in my temple.
Putting pressure against my forehead, I sat up and leaned back on the heel of my free hand. I groaned, immediately regretting my decision to have that last goblet of wine. Delani was fast asleep, and the sky was still putting on its performanceof dancing stars, so I must have not been asleep for too long.
Wait.
I did a double-take back to Delani. Where my head had been resting on her dress, was a blood soaked spot.
“What the?—”
My hands pushed me off of the ground. I stood on wobbling knees, the pounding in my head increasing in line with my height. Upon further examination, I realized that it was not exactly my head that was aching—it was my face. Just under my right cheekbone, to be exact.
My arm quivered as I raised my hand to meet the puffed flesh under my eye, which burned to the touch. The skin felt warm—wet underneath the soles of my fingers. My eyes widened when I pulled my hand back into view, beads of fresh blood dripping from my fingertips.
Adrenaline coursed within me as I hastily repeated my inspection, this time noticing a group of raised bumps along the line of my cheek bone.
I froze as realization struck me.
This had to be a dream.
There was no way.No fucking way.
I must have still been asleep, because this wasn't possible. First and foremost, the gemstones of the godsrarelyadorned one's body anywhere except for their hands. When they did, they usually were close by, like on a forearm or something.
